South Waldo Lake loop

The Waldo Lake Wilderness offers a plethora of hiking trails, and the South Waldo loop is just one of many hidden gems that one can come and explore. This moderate loop is perfect for those newbie backpackers, who may even prefer their first experience out to be in the comfort of a three-sided shelter. This excursion is also great for those introducing small children to backpacking, as this trail is very easy and offers a great swimming spot as well.

The trailhead is found just past Shadow Bay campground at the boat ramp parking area. Due to the boat ramp being here, in the height of the summer, this parking lot can get quite busy, however most of those people are boating and not hiking. Waldo Lake trail and all the adjoining trails are virtually empty most of the time. You may see a few mountain bikers on the trail in August and September and there might be the occasional hiker. Towards the end of the season (mid-September and early October, you will most likely see no one).

(view of the Three Sisters across Waldo Lake)

Waldo Lake is Oregon's second largest natural lake. It covers 10 square miles and has a depth of 417 feet! This lake has no inlet, leaving its waters extremely pure and clear and almost entirely devoid of plant life. The lake was named after a devotee of the Oregon Cascades Judge John B. Waldo, who trekked all the way from Willamette Pass to Mt. Shasta in 1888!

(South Waldo shelter)

The first 1.3 miles of the hike is on the Waldo Lake trail until right after you pass a beautiful beach. This quiet sandy shore offers great swimming, and in this small nook of the lake you are away from the usual Waldo Lake wind. Only a short distance down the trail, you will find the South Waldo Shelter, which has a wooden platform for sleeping, as well as a stove inside. The front of the shelter is open, so you'll still need to bundle up in your sleeping bag at night.

​At the shelter is the trail split that will take you on your loop hike. You will continue left onto the South Waldo trail for 1.7 miles through the woods to another junction. At this 4-way junction you will turn right, climb to another wooded pass, then the trail dips into a smaller saddle and then descends steeply for a mile to Black Meadows. The upper end of the meadow is beautiful with marigolds and a small seasonal pond that reflects Fuji Mountain.

(Black Meadow)

After that 2 mile stretch, you will come to another trail junction. Turn right onto the High Divide trail, following occasional trail blazes shaped like exclamation points. Some of the trees during this hike are absolutely enormous. Keep your eyes out for the tree that is wider than 4 adults! After 2.3 miles of crossing multiple meadows and passing a very delicious huckleberry patch (usually fruits are ripe in early to mid-August), you will come to a T junction with the Waldo Lake trail. Turn right here to complete the loop. It is only .6 miles back to the shelter and the beautiful swimming beach, so make sure not to forget a towel, because after a hot August day of hiking, you will want to dip in that refreshing water!

Overall, this is a great hidden gem of a hike. The terrain of the trail is easy to moderate, with occasional blowdowns if there hasn't been any trail maintenance yet. Sometimes they skip a season of maintenance on these more remote and less used trails. The tread of the trail is very nice and easy to walk on, and it is not dusty at all. Over the entire 10 miles, there are only 1,000 ft. of elevation gain, which is hardly noticeable. As mentioned before, this is a more remote area, and especially if you come at the end of summer/early fall, you will most likely not see anyone else on the trail. This hike is perfect for those of you seeking solitude on a day hike, or for those who are wanting to take a short and easy overnight trip to a beautiful place. If you are hiking in late June or during the month of July, make sure to bring a bug net and lots of spray, as the mosquitoes in the Waldo Lake Wilderness are known for their large size and their tenacity!

Directions: 3 miles west of Willamette Pass on highway 58, turn at the sign for Waldo Lake. Continue on paved Road 5897 for 6.8 miles and turn left at Shadow Bay Campground sign and continue 2 miles to the boat ramp parking area.You will need your Annual Northwest Forest Pass, or pay $5 for parking if you don't have one.

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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer

*Disclaimer: the trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes. ​​​​​​​​